I feel like someone predicted something very close to some of these in the Heirloom speculation thread, but I don't think anyone called the paired start cards mechanic.

I dunno about the heirloom speculation thread, but I basically called Cursed Gold back in 2013.

I really don't want to be mean here, but just like the idea of a card that gives plain +2 Actions, "Cursed Gold" has been thrown around by fans since pretty much the beginning of Dominion. And just like Necropolis, it's still a really bad idea for a kingdom card. The fact that all players equally and choicelessly start with exactly one copy of this instead of another weak card in their deck (again, just like with Necropolis) makes all the difference.

I feel like someone predicted something very close to some of these in the Heirloom speculation thread, but I don't think anyone called the paired start cards mechanic.

I dunno about the heirloom speculation thread, but I basically called Cursed Gold back in 2013.

I really don't want to be mean here, but just like the idea of a card that gives plain +2 Actions, "Cursed Gold" has been thrown around by fans since pretty much the beginning of Dominion. And just like Necropolis, it's still a really bad idea for a kingdom card. The fact that all players equally and choicelessly start with exactly one copy of this instead of another weak card in their deck (again, just like with Necropolis) makes all the difference.

Yes, and if you indeed click his link, this is the guy's idea as well.

I feel like someone predicted something very close to some of these in the Heirloom speculation thread, but I don't think anyone called the paired start cards mechanic.

I dunno about the heirloom speculation thread, but I basically called Cursed Gold back in 2013.

I really don't want to be mean here, but just like the idea of a card that gives plain +2 Actions, "Cursed Gold" has been thrown around by fans since pretty much the beginning of Dominion. And just like Necropolis, it's still a really bad idea for a kingdom card. The fact that all players equally and choicelessly start with exactly one copy of this instead of another weak card in their deck (again, just like with Necropolis) makes all the difference.

Yes, and if you indeed click his link, this is the guy's idea as well.

Damn, thanks for pointing this out. I was on mobile and thought I knew what was going on, so I didn't bother clicking... Now that I read it, I even recall reading the original thread. Sorry and impressive job, AJD!

Is it just me, or does Pooka look weak? It can only trash 6 cards, and +4 Cards doesn't seem that much better than Spice Merchant. I think I would almost always buy spice merchant over this unless there's no solid draw.

Is it just me, or does Pooka look weak? It can only trash 6 cards, and +4 Cards doesn't seem that much better than Spice Merchant. I think I would almost always buy spice merchant over this unless there's no solid draw.

It could trash IGGs, or Masterpieces, I guess. Also silvers? And any coppers you might buy...

Could Pooka BM be a thing? Trash coppers/silvers to it for draw, and buy gold/province as appropriate?

Is it just me, or does Pooka look weak? It can only trash 6 cards, and +4 Cards doesn't seem that much better than Spice Merchant. I think I would almost always buy spice merchant over this unless there's no solid draw.

It's just you. Pooka is crazy strong — it's a trasher and early game engine component in the same card, but if you have extra +buy, it can remain an engine component for the entire game. It also gives you a lot of cycling which makes the trashing faster than you would expect especially if you also have another trasher that can get rid of the Curses.

Is it just me, or does Pooka look weak? It can only trash 6 cards, and +4 Cards doesn't seem that much better than Spice Merchant. I think I would almost always buy spice merchant over this unless there's no solid draw.

It's just you. Pooka is crazy strong — it's a trasher and early game engine component in the same card, but if you have extra +buy, it can remain an engine component for the entire game. It also gives you a lot of cycling which makes the trashing faster than you would expect especially if you also have another trasher that can get rid of the Curses.

I'm still not seeing it. It costs so it's not going to be picked up super early unless you use Cursed Gold or get 5/2. Once you've used it 6 times it's generally a dud, unless you have extra buys to make it basically a Smithy. The cycling is a good point, but it would also make Pooka miss the shuffle more, right? All in all, it seems like a good early game but obsoleted in most late games and weaker mid games.

EDIT: Comparing it to Stables is interesting. The big question is it worth the trashing to downgrade to a Smithy? I think not, unless it's the only trashing on the board.

Is it just me, or does Pooka look weak? It can only trash 6 cards, and +4 Cards doesn't seem that much better than Spice Merchant. I think I would almost always buy spice merchant over this unless there's no solid draw.

It's just you. Pooka is crazy strong — it's a trasher and early game engine component in the same card, but if you have extra +buy, it can remain an engine component for the entire game. It also gives you a lot of cycling which makes the trashing faster than you would expect especially if you also have another trasher that can get rid of the Curses.

I'm still not seeing it. It costs so it's not going to be picked up super early unless you use Cursed Gold or get 5/2. Once you've used it 6 times it's generally a dud, unless you have extra buys to make it basically a Smithy. The cycling is a good point, but it would also make Pooka miss the shuffle more, right? All in all, it seems like a good early game but obsoleted in most late games and weaker mid games.

EDIT: Comparing it to Stables is interesting. The big question is it worth the trashing to downgrade to a Smithy? I think not, unless it's the only trashing on the board.

To me, the fact that it both trashes and cycles in the early and midgame game makes it potentially very potent, and the Cursed Gold helps you do stuff with your big draw as well if you really want an expensive card. The main problem with an early game Pooka would be dead draw of your other actions, but this is the expansion with Night cards that are not drawn dead.

It's not quite a Smithy+ though, as they do not stack too well for very long

I know others have said it, but I want to echo their comments. Donald, you really did an impressive job with how elegant this heirloom mechanic is. I'm curious how you developed that idea and/or how that implementation came to you.Really good! I stopped playing Dominion online for a while because my compulsion to play was getting in the way of other things in my life, but this might get me back for another tour. At the very least I am certainly going to get the physical version.

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How many Ghosts are in the pile? Seems like it wouldn't be more than 6 (max supported players) since nobody's usually going to trash one of these Haunted Mirrors more than once (although I guess Thief could have done it more times, and maybe there are new things that can).

There are 6 Ghosts (and 6 of each Heirloom of course).

Hmm. I thought there could be other cards that trigger Ghosts, like there are with Spoils. I guess that it still possible but less likely with only 6.

Forager openings make for interesting Cursed Gold interactions as who is going to trash it first.Also Counterfeit/Cursed Gold is an interesting interaction as you have to think about getting lets of money this turn and also can get rid of the card worth it gaining 2 Curses.

I'm also really glad about the art improvement compared to e.g. Devil's Workshop. Cemetary is especially nice. I like how Heirlooms create lots of decisions while each individual card is really simple.

Shepherd would combo really well with some way to get Victory cards into your hand. Like imagine if there was some kind of non-terminal Action that would sift through the top of your deck and draw all the Victory cards into your hand - a sort of reconnoiterer, if you will. Shepherd would definitely combo with that.